Bangkok, the the capital and largest city in Thailand, is a cosmopolitan experience. The city has grown from a regional attraction to a global destination. Even though Bangkok is located in the tropics, it has more of an urban feel with staid high-end shopping streets to frenetic tourist areas while still being accessible to those backpacking through Thailand. As a veg-friendly destination, the city has a lot to offer, however, vegan and vegetarian only restaurants are scattered far apart. Because of the traffic, it's not always convenient to get to the popular plant-based restaurants, so the experience is one of finding vegan dishes in regular restaurants. Because Thai food lends itself very nicely to vegetable dishes, this is not hard and there are some nice discoveries to be made!

Public Art in Bangkok - Climbing for Coconuts

Famous Bangkok Traffic

Na Aroon Restaurant (Sukhumvit Soi 1)

I visited two unique veg-friendly food spots in central Bangkok. The first was Na Aroon Restaurant which is part of a garden styled hotel at the end of Sukhumvit Soi 1. The restaurant has a refreshing atmosphere, like an oasis in sharp contrast to the bustling and sooty streets of the city. So it's a wonderful place to decompress while eating some amazing food. The restaurant does not serve meat, but does serve fish. The menu clearly displays a 'V' for vegetarian and 'NV' for 'Non-Vegetarian' options. They are also very accommodating per any dietary request. Both times I visited for lunch it was not busy and a very enjoyable experience. Take a taxi to get there, but if you want to walk, ride the BTS (elevated rail) to Ploen Chit station, then walk to Sukhumvit Road, one of the main streets in the city, and find Soi 1 (about 15 minutes). Then walk to the end of Soi 1 (about 10 minutes). You will be pleasantly surprised!

Na Aroon Restaurant Interior

Na Aroon Restaurant Courtyard

Tomato Coconut Curry with Fruit - Na Aroon Restaurant

Eggplant Puree with Raw Vegetables - Na Aroon

Mushroom Mint Leave Salad - Na Aroon Restaurant

Three Eggplant Green Curry - Na Aroon

Eathai Food Court (Central Embassy Mall - Ploen Chit BTS)

Located in the Central Embassy Mall which is connected to the Ploen Chit BTS station by an elevated walkway, which helps you avoid street level commotion, is the wonderful Eathai food court. The food court is located on the bottom floor down two escalators. It is a very high end style food court simulating hawker stalls in a Thai village with representative food options from all parts of the country. Most importantly, they have a vegetarian counter with about fifteen different options. The ones I tried were all delicious. Everything is made fresh in an open kitchen and brought to your table. The prices are very reasonable, if not surprisingly low for the quality and comfort of the experience. The food court has not been discovered by the main stream tourist crowd and is mostly filled with Thai business people and those living in the area. To say I ate here a few times would be an understatement. It was my main place! It is also connected to a specialty Thai grocery market with neat stuff such as boutique rice, coconut oils, dried fruit, soaps, chili sauces, and anything else you could want. I bought most of my gifts for friends and family at home from this market. If you are staying in central Bangkok and pass through the Ploen Chit BTS station, then stop here and try it. Best of all, there is little chance of getting Bangkok Belly when you eat here!

Entrance to Eathai Food Court

Thai Curry Noodles - Eathai Food Court

Mango Sticky Rice - Eathai Food Court

Betel Leaf Appetizers - Eathai Food Court

Pink Tofu Soup - Eathai Food Court

Sweet Dumplings in Ginger Tea - Eathai Food Court

This map should help if you are in the area. Once you get a feel for central Bangkok, you are ready for memorable culinary treats and a very positive veg-experience!